Abstract: The invention includes compounds used to manufacture garments for use in water based activities that have a rubber, synthetic rubber, or neoprene compound. The compound is primarily polychloroprene or other suitable polymers and at least one metal of nanoparticle size. The compound composition includes a metal concentration that is sufficient to provide anti-bacterial properties that retard or eliminate bacterial growth on any surface of the composition used to produce the garment. The composition may include a sub-micron metal composition including sub-micron sized silver, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide and boron nitride particles as well as a polyol ester, wherein the thermal conductance of the aforementioned submicron composition is >350,000 W/m2° C. for a 0.001 inch layer of the aforementioned metal composition, the thermal resistance is <0.0045° C.-in2/Watt for a 0.001 inch layer of the aforementioned metal composition, and the average particle size is <0.49 microns for a <0.

Abstract: The invention includes compounds used to manufacture garments for use in water based activities that comprise a rubber, synthetic rubber, or neoprene compound. The compound comprises primarily polychloroprene or other suitable polymers and at least one metal of nanoparticle size. The compound composition includes a metal concentration that is sufficient to provide anti-bacterial properties that retard or eliminate bacterial growth on any surface of the composition used to produce the garment. The composition may include a sub-micron metal composition including sub-micron sized silver, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide and boron nitride particles as well as a polyol ester, wherein the thermal conductance of said submicron composition is >350,000 W/m2 ° C. for a 0.001 inch layer of said metal composition, the thermal resistance is <0.0045° C.-in2/Watt for a 0.001 inch layer of said metal composition, and the average particle size is <0.49 microns for a <0.000020 inch layer of said metal composition.

Abstract: A customizable and reusable mouthpiece for diving use having a passageway-forming front member extending from a proximal in-mouth end to a distal outside end and a U-shaped formable back member is described. The back member provides a hollow cavity portion located in the bitewing section that may be partially filled with a gel-like or other suitable substance configured to provide custom moldability at substantially all points of contact between the mouthpiece and the teeth such that the mouthpiece is securely gripped by the teeth. The mouthpiece requires pressure relief channels so that air or fluids may enter into and be forced out of the hollow cavity providing a bellows-like action that provides a means for the bitewing and materials of composition to return to essentially its original shape. Reusability of the mouthpiece, more specifically the bitewings is directly related to the choice and combination of materials, dimensioning and processing.

Abstract: A customizable and reusable mouthpiece for diving use having a passageway-forming front member extending from a proximal in-mouth end to a distal outside end and a U-shaped formable back member is described. The back member provides a hollow cavity portion located in the bitewing section that may be partially filled with a gel-like or other suitable substance configured to provide custom moldability at substantially all points of contact between the mouthpiece and the teeth such that the mouthpiece is securely gripped by the teeth. The mouthpiece requires pressure relief channels so that air or fluids may enter into and be forced out of the hollow cavity providing a bellows-like action that provides a means for the bitewing and materials of composition to return to essentially its original shape. Reusability of the mouthpiece, more specifically the bitewings is directly related to the choice and combination of materials, dimensioning and processing.

Abstract: A customizable and reusable mouthpiece for scuba-diving and snorkeling use having a passageway-forming front member extending from a proximal in-mouth end to a distal outside end and a U-shaped formable back member. The back member provides an insert portion located in the bitewing section configured to provide custom moldability at substantially all points of contact between the mouthpiece and the teeth such that the mouthpiece is securely gripped by the diver's teeth. The mouthpiece may be composed of one or more materials so that at least one material will conform to the individual diver's mouth and also allow for reuse such that the material will return to essentially its original shape. Materials to provide such a reusable mouthpiece may include the use of; cellular or foamed thermoplastics, co-polymers, blends, and composites, including nanocomposites that comprise inorganics such as clays and fullerenes, and nanotubes of fullerene based derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention includes an in-line device that improves safety and ease of use associated with a scuba diving buoyancy compensation device (BCD). Specifically, a rotational coupling and associated valves are provided to assist in closing the air passageway without physically disconnecting the air hose from the BCD for a diver in case of an emergency and may be utilized together with or independently from currently commercially available air hose configurations and is described as an improved buoyancy compensator coupling device (BCCD).